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Stroke dropped to fourth leading cause of death in 2008
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Stroke has declined from the third to the fourth leading cause of death for the first time in 50 years, according to a new report published by the CDC.
In the report, titled “Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2008,” the CDC reported that compared with 2007, there were 2,202 fewer deaths from stroke in 2008.
Besides the lower mortality rates, stroke descending to the fourth leading cause of death may also be attributed to the modification made by WHO in the way deaths from chronic lower respiratory disease, which currently occupies the third position, are classified and coded. Now, death certificates that independently mention pneumonia with a chronic lower respiratory problem are classified as “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute lower respiratory infection,” a condition that makes up chronic lower respiratory disease, the report stated.
Nevertheless, the fewer deaths represent an encouraging trend for Ralph L. Sacco, MD, president of the American Heart Association, “which can be attributed in part to improved prevention, and in part to the improved quality of care for stroke patients by hospitals, including the increased use of … thrombolytics and the provision of medications demonstrated effective in preventing recurrent strokes,” Sacco said in a press release.
“However, there are still too many deaths, and more people and their families are living with the aftermath of stroke — physical disabilities, caretaker demands, lost income, and extensive health care and rehabilitation costs,” he said. “There is significantly more work to be done in the prevention and treatment of stroke.”
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